Clutch control mechanism



T. M. WRIGHT CLUTQHCONTROL MECHANISM May 19, 1942.

Original Filed Aug. 4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. v 77/E000KE M WF/Ghf.

BY j ATTO Ys.

y 1942- T. M. WRIGHT 2,283,841

' CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. '4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 77/50DOAE N, WK/a/m May 19, 1942. 1-. M. WRIGHT CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Fiied Aug. 4, '1959 9 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. 7/5 11: M Irma/1r.

ATTORfi T942- T. M. WRIGHT 4 2,283,841

CLUTCH CONTROL MECHAN ISM May19, 1942. I T. MQNRIGHT 8 CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. THEODORE M WK/'l/fi y 19, 1942. 1'. M. WRIGHT 2,233,841

CLUTCH CONILROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 4, 1939 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 19, 1942. I T. M. 'WRIGHT 2,283,841

CLUTCH CONTRQL MECHANI SM Original Filed Aug. 4, 1939 9 Sheecs-Sheet a MMEYEf May 19, 1942. "r. M. WRIGHT v CLUTCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 4,- 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet -9 F'-Ifi.. 18 r lq. 18-A +515. 15-5 I INVENTOR.

' 77/EODOA M, WK/mz' Patented May 19, 1942' 2,283,841 ow'ron oomon MECHANISM Theodore M. Wright, North Tonawanda, N. Y.,

. assignor to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, Ohicago, lll., a corporation I a Original application August 4, 1939, Serial No. 288,336, now Patent No. 2,251,381, dated August 5, 1941. Divided and this application-March 28, 1940, Serial No. 326,333

- 8 Claims.

Thi application is a division of application Serial No.-288,336, filed August 4, 1939 (Patent No. 2,251,381, issued August'5, 1941, for Automatic phonograph), and relates to a clutchcontrol mechanism particularly applicable to moving a phonograph turntable in a step by step manner to predetermined positions in sequence to present for play a series of records stacked thereon. In this connection reference may also be. had to Letters Patent No. 2,096,718, issued October 26, 1937, on an application of Otto A. Hokanson entitled "Automatic phonograph.

It is the purpose of this invention to-provide a clutch, control mechanism arranged to mechanically control a clutch operating'to periodically move a turntable or memberto a new predetermined position at the conclusion of a cyclic operation. Thus, in the present application of-the clutch control mechanism, in a phonograph of the character described after completion of the playing of each record the mechanism is actuated for effecting a clutching action, causing rotation of a cam controlling the elevation of the turntable. After the cam ha beenthus rotated until the turntable is moved a distance equal to the thickness of the record, a projection carried by the cam actuates the control mechanism: to thereupon declutch the drive. Thus, in step by step manner the turntable or any similar member is moved to predetermined positions in sequence, said positions being determined by the spacing of the projections and their relation to the cam.

Another feature of the invention resides in the clutch actuating mechanism of the double acting type controlled by a reciprocable bar which in its several positions simultaneously clutches or declutches a pair of clutch members.

The full nature of the invention wilLbe understood from'the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of the record changer positioned preparatory to elevating the top rec- 0rd to expose for play the next record therebelow. Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 showing an end elevation. Fig. 3 is an end elevation ,as in Fig. 2,

showing the topmost record elevated for playing the next succeeding record. Fig. 4 is a plan view with the turntable and turntable shaft bearing supports removed with parts in section and parts broken away, and with the turntableelevating mechanism in driving position. Fig. 5 is a plan view of. a portion of the driving mechanism at the beginning of the record elevating movement. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the turntable elevating l9 of the frame members l2.

mechanism with the turntable in its lowermost position. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of one of the clutches showing the clutch members in engage-.

ment. Fig. 8 is the same as Fig. 7 showing the clutch members disengaged. Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 7 with the shaft in elevation. Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line |0+l0 of Fig. 8 with the shaft in elevation. Fig.

i 11 is a side elevation of the tone arm support and trip at completion of the play. Fig. 12 is the same as Fig. 11 showing a front elevation thereof. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the tone arm sup- .are illustrative of different positions of the ,twelve-inch record stop in respect to the movement of the tone arm arresting pin, Fig. 19 is a plan view showing a modified form of tum- .table control embodying a record repeating mechanism. Fig. 20 i an end view of portions of the record repeating mechanism with parts removed.

As one example of the invention, there is shownherein an automatic record changing device for 'phonographs comprising, a base I carrying amotor II and upwardly extending frame members indicated at l2.

Mounted upon the base for rotation there is a turntable B from which an elongated centering pin it extends rotatable therewith and with the shaft IS. The shaft l5 and turntable are driven from a horizontally extending motor shaft l6 carrying a worm I I meshing with a worm gear 18 slidably keyed to-the shaft 15, said :shaft being vertically supported for rotation in a bearing The records, which are supported and rotated upon the turntable in stacked relation, are carried by individual record trays 20. Said trays are all of the same diameter being suiiiciently large to contain a twelve-inch record while also being capable of containing a ten-inch record.

To automatically present any one of the records contained in the stack upon the. turntable I elevated to split the stack and elevate the superposed records and trays thereabove so as to provide overhead clearance space to permit horizontal swinging'movem'ent of the reproducer over the exposed record for reproduction thereof,

The record engaging and elevating fingers are rotatably mounted upon the severalupright arms 22 spaced about the turntable and trays adjacent the periphery thereof; Said arms are supported by the movable frame members 23. Said frame members are capable of vertical movement for elevating the record trays as well as a tilting movement for throwing the fingers in and out of engagement therewith. The elevating movement of said frame members 23 is effected through the action of a set of lazy tong levers 23 and 25. Lever 24 ispivoted at one end to the frame member 23 at 26, while its other end is slidably mounted in the fixed frame member I2. Lever 25 is pivotally mounted at 21 to one of the fixed frame members |2, while its opposite end is slidably mounted in a movable frame member 23. Said levers are pivotally connectedat their centers at 28 and are also provided at that point with a cam engaging roller operating in the inner cam track 29 of the cam gear 30.

The frame member 23 extends about three sides of the machine. Along the opposite end sides thereof there is provided a pair of lazy tong arms 3| which steady and guide the vertical movement of the frame 23 for maintaining it in parallel relation with the frame members l2. In this manner, as the three sided rectangular movable frame member 23 is caused to move up and down by the cam track 29, it is guided in such movement and maintained in its horizontal or parallel relation by the lazy tong arms 3|. Said arms are pivoted together in their center, as indicated at 32 and at one of their ends to frames l2 and 23, respectively. Their opposite ends are slidably mounted in frames 23 and I2, respectively.

The horizontally positioned and vertically movable elevating frame 23 carries a rocking bar 33 upon which arms 22 are rig dly m unte e rocking bars, which extend immediately above the lazy tong arms 3| adjacent opposite ends of the elevating levers 24, 25 are each provided with a downwardly extending arm 34 having a roller 35 at its lowermost end adapted to engage a cam 36 extending vertically on one of the upright frame members I2. Immediately upon said bars being elevated by levers 24 and 25, the cam 36 tilts them to throw the fingers 2| into en agement with the tray or record supported thereby to split the stack by elevating the said record.

The cam gear 313 is rotated for effecting this movement by a pinion 31 on shaft 33 driven through a clutch 39 by shaft 40, which in turn is driven by a worm gear ll meshing with a worm- 42 on motor driven shaft l (Fig. 4). While shaft 40 is continuously rotated with the turntable, shaft 38 and cam gear 33 are controlled by clutch 39 in the manner hereinafter described so as to be operated only during the record changing operation of the machine.

The record to be reproduced is automatically exposed for play by vertically positioning the turntable to bring the next record thereabove into horizontal alignment with the discs 2| so as to be engaged and elevated thereby. Such vertical positioning of the turntable is effected through an arm 43 having a yoke 43a upon its end embracing the shaft l5 and extending under a bearing 45 so that elevation of said arm43 correspondingly elevates the turntable with shaft is; Arm as is pivoted at 15 on frame l2 (Fig. 6), being goosenecked in shape and having a roller 41 engaging in the cam track 48 carried by the cam gear 49 which is driven by a worm 50 keyed to shaft 5| driven through a clutch 52 by shaft 40. Cam gear 49 is rotatably supported upon an extension |2a of frame l2.

Said gear is provided at spaced intervals around its' periphery with projecting lugs 53 acting inthe nature of stops for controlling the elevation of the turntable to present the next record for play after the reproduction of the preceding record has been completed. Thus, there is provided one such lug for each record. A record is presented for play, depending upon the elevation of the turntable, which in turn is controlled by the position of the lug corresponding to said record. The position of the lugs in turn is controlled by the clutch 52 which is gaged position, as the case may be. Conversely, V

thrown out for discontinuing rotation of the gear 49 upon the lug reaching the clutch throw-out position.

The clutch 52, as well as clutch 39, is best 11- lustrated in Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, wherein there is provided a driving member '55 to which a clutch ring 56 is pivoted at 51. Said ring carries an internal dog 53 positioned to engage and effect a driving lock with an external dog 59 of the driven clutch member 60 which is keyed to shaft 5|. In the instance of clutch 39, said driven shaft is indicated at 33. Said clutch ring 56 is provided with radially projecting cams 5| and 62, and is also provided with a stud 63 disl sed oppositely from its pivotal connection 57 so arranged as to be releasably engaged by a ball spring-pressed latch 64. As the clutch revolves in the direction indicated by the curved arrows, cam 62, upon encountering a clutch bar, hereinafter described, causes said ring 56 to oscillate about its pivotal connection 51 tomove the do 58 into interlocking engagement with dog 59. When cam 6| strikes said bar, the ring is oscillated in the opposite direction to release the dogs 58, 59. As each oscillation takes place, the stud 63 passes over and depresses the ball 64 which thereupon latches the ring in its actuated clutching or declutching position. Thus, when cam 62 strikes the bar, the shafts 40 and 5| are clutched together. When the cam 6| strikes the bar, they are declutched. The same applies to clutch 39 in respect to shafts 38 and 40.

For the purpose hereinafter explained, that portion of the ring bearing cam 6| is offset so as to be substantially spaced from the flange of clutch member 52, whereas the cam portion 62 of the ring lies adjacent thereto.

The clutch bar 55 is slidably mounted to span both of the clutches 39 and 52 through the medium of elongated slots into which studs 66 extend which are mounted upon one of the frame members l2. Opposite each of said clutches, in

the edge of the bar adjacent thereto, there are notches 51 and 68, respectively. The bar 65 may be reciprocated to a position wherein one or the other of cams 6|, 62 freely pass through a notch and the clutch remains in its engaged or disenwhen said bar is reciprocated to such position that its edge is struck by one or the other of said cams during the rotation of the clutch or the driven clutch member, the clutch is thrown into its clutched or declutched position. Howarrangement of cam 8|. so that the clutch remains in its set position until the bar is again shifted. Thus, with reference to Fig. 5, when the bar I55 is moved to the extreme right-hand position, the clutch 39 is disengaged while clutch 52 is engaged. When the bar is moved to the extreme left, clutch a: is disengaged and clutch 30 is engaged. n the other hand, when bar 88 is moved to an intermediate position, both clutches are disengaged.

Said bar is is actuated to control the clutches 39 and 52 by the trip mechanism of the tone arm and reproducer, as will be hereinafter described.

When the reproducer reaches the end of the record, so that the tone arm is caused to oscillate or swing abruptly inwardly, through a pawl and ratchet or fixed stop, as'hereinafter referred to,-

a lever 69 is moved by the sprin 8811 about its fulcrum point wherein it is pivoted at 10 to one of the frame members it. The opposite end of the lever is-pivotally connected with a link which has its opposite end pivoted to the bell crank lever 12 fulcrumed at I: to one of said frame members and having its free end in position to engage a pin 14 on the bar 85. Through this mechanism the bar is moved to the left to effect the engagement of clutch ,whereupon cam gear 30 will be driven. J

The spring 690 has one end secured to a frame the bar 65 is moved to the-reverse position so as to declutch clutch 52 and engage clutch 30 to 4 again rotate gear 30.

The turntable has thereupon been positionedto present the next record and further rotation of gear 30 elevates fingers 2i when brought into engagement with a record or its tray immediately above the record to be played, to provide the necessary clearance space for the reproducer. When gear 30 is moved sufficiently to effect its operation and at the same time operate shaft 19' to permit the reproducer to swing back to the beginning of the record,'a slight projection 93,

which is similar to projection 81, engages and operates lever 88 to move bar 65 slightly'to the 7 right until it is in its intermediate or neutral position. In this position both clutches 39 and cam 30. Thereupon, the pin 19a returns the levers I2 and 69 to normal position.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, cam gear 80 is provided with'a second outer cam track I! in which a roller IS on the end of an arm ll operates. Said arm is secured to shaft 19 which is support-, ed for oscillation by the frame members II. The opposite end of shaft 10 has secured thereto an arm 80 which is pivotally connected with a link 8|. The opposite endof link 8| is connected with a bell crank lever 02 which, througha link 03, operates an arm 80 secured to the tone arm bracket 85 which oscillates about a post 88.

Through the last-mentioned mechanism. l n rotation of the gear 30 througlrclutchjfl, the reproducer is elevated from the record after playing is completed and the tone arm is swung clear. Continued rotation of gear 30 lowers the record elevating fingers 2i, as above described, to return the elevated records to the stack. a 111g 81 on gear 30 engages a lever 80 fulcrumed to a frame member at 00 and'which has a protruding spring "on one end thereof positioned to engage one end of the bar 85. This action causes bar 851:0 be thrown to the reverse or right-hand position (Fig. 5), declutch ing clutch 33 and causing engagement of clutch erned by the next following lug 81 on gear 40 engaging a bell crank lever 9|, the opposite end of which actuates an upstanding projection 02 on bar 85. This permits gear 00 to be rotated only Thereupon 52 are declutched, and the record changing mechanism ceases to operate so as to permit rotation of the turntable and reproduction of the record in the usual manner until the trip mecha-- 'nism again causes operation of said clutches, as

above described. It is to be noted that lever 88 operates the bar through the spring 90 which permits movement of said bar to the extreme right (Fig. 5) while said lever engaged by the lug 81.

The tone arm 44 (see Figs. 11 to 14) is pivoted for vertical movement upon a block I00. The U-shaped bracket 85 is pivotally mounted to oscillate about the post 88. Said bracket 85 is supported by one of the frame members I2 andas above described is oscillated through link 83 and arm 84. Within bracket 85 there is a U- shaped bracket I03 pivotally supported by a shoulder on thesleeve I 02 mounted on post 88 about, which said brackets pivot. Said bracket I03 carries a tone arm elevating pin I00 extending vertically and slidably through its-upper and lower arms. Said p n is yi l y maintained in its lowermost position by a compression spring I05 and the lower end thereof is adapted to ride up and down upon a cam surface I08 formed on the-lower arm of bracket 85. The upper end of -pin I00 has an adjustable reduced head I01 arranged with a spring pressed projection I08 which engages in a longitudinal groove I08 provided in a dense plate IIO secured to the underside of the tone arm. Thus, when brackets 85,

I03 are caused to move in one direction relative to each other, pin I 04 is elevated by cam I06 to raise the tone arm and reproducer above the face of the record. When they are moved relatlve to each other in the opposite direction for presenting the reproducer at thefbeginning of the record, pin I04 slides down the cam I 08 to lower the reproducer. into record engagement. The projection I08 extending into groove I08 locks the tone arm against free oscillation while the reproducer is being lowered onto the record.

-But upon the needle engaging the record, continued lowering of the pin' I00 in sliding down the cam causes projection I08 to disengage the groove I08 and allow the record groove to freely carry the tone arm inwardly.

An upstanding, lug III is'secured to the top arm of the bracket 85 in position to engage the -rear' portion of the tone arm 44 (Fig. 12) for swinging the tone arm outwardly from its innermost position to beyond the periphery of the record. Rotation of cam gear 30, upon comple-.

' tion of the playing of the record, swings bracket 85 from the position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. 5 through the medium of from one of said lugs to the next, whereupon shaft 19 and link. During this initial swing.

mating the tone arm. This is accomplished by the movement of the bracket 85 carrying its cam I66 (Fig. 13) under the pin Mk Thus the tone arm is elevated. The brackets then lie in the same plane and the ulg EH is brought into en- 'gagement with the tone arm so that continued pivotal movement of bracket swings the tone arm outwardly to one side of the records together with the bracket M3. The record changing cycle then takes place, whereupon the cam gear 30, through link 83, swings the bracket 85 in the opposite direction. For also returning bracket H13 with the tone arm to the beginning of the record, there is provided a; spring H2 (Fig. 13) which has one end connected with the bracket tilt at H3 and the other end thereof connected to the bracket 85 at IM. Thus as the bracket 85 is caused to swing back to its normal position by link 83, it swings bracket I03 and the tone arm with it through the tension of spring H2. This permits bracket 85 to be swung to its innermost position by the cam gear,.while bracket I03 is stopped with the reproducer over the beginning of the record by the adjustable stops to be hereinafter described. Since the bracket 85 is swung to its innermost position and the tone arm bracket I 03 is stopped intermediate this movement, the spring H2 thereby becomes expanded as shown in Fig. 13.

For removing the reproducer from the record after reproductiomsha'ft 86 has securedto the lower end thereof an arm H5 which carries a pawl II6 freely riding in engagement with the ratchet teeth II'F provided on lever H8. The other side of the lever is provided with a latch 20 positioned to engage or disengage the trip lever 69. Said lever H8 is provided with a spring I2I for normally maintaining it in latching engagement until moved to unlatching engagement by the pawl I I6, as is well understood in the art.

For positioning the reproducer at the beginning of a record of either ten or twelve inch size, adjustable stops are provided, as hereinafter described, which arrest its inward swin ing movementwhen bracket I03 is swung inwardly by bracket 85 through the spring II 2.

For this purpose there is provided a ten-inch record stop-E22 (Figs. and 5) against which a projection E23 on the end of the inner bracket I03 engages to arrestits inward movement and position the reproducer over the beginning of the ten-inch record groove.

To position the reproducer over the groove of a twelve-inch record, the projection I23 has provided thereon a downwardly extending pin I24 which normally clears the end of a bell crank lever I25 so as to allow said projection to engage and be arrested by stop l22. But when bell crank lever I25 is swung into operative position,

pin 12% passes through an opening I25 between the upturnedguide flanges IZE and 28. Flange I28 has a curved portion which serves as a stop 829 for the pin flZd to position the reproducer over the beginning of the twelve-inch record.

Bell crank lever 625 is actuated by a feeler angularly arranged so that when the feeler engages a ten-inch record, it does not afiect said lever which remains inoperative, whereby the projection I23 engages stop I22. But when the ieeler engages a twelve-inch record, it is leveled oil? to swing 'the bell crank lever into operative The feeler comprises an oscillating rod 438 carrying on its forward end a cross bar I3I. Said bar is normally carried at an angle and is arranged to engage the exposed surfaces of the records. Thus, it will span the peripheral edge of a. ten-inch record when exposed for play and remain in its normal angular position with one end dropped down beyond the edge thereof. On the other hand, when a twelve-inch record is exposed for play, it will engage the surface there-' of and be brought to horizontal alignment with the horizontal surface of said record. This arrangementis such that when the feeler engages a smaller size record its tilted position will remain unchanged. But when a larger size record is engaged, its initial tilted position will be changed to-a horizontal position, thereby oscillating' rod 30. Such oscillation acts to throw the bell crank lever iZiinto operative position to cause pin I24 to engagestop 29.

Rod E30 extends through and is carried by a tubular arm i313 having its opposite end secured to a block I35 pivoted for vertical movement between a pair of standards 36 which are SWlVGILl] mounted about a post I31 extending upwardly from the frame member l2. Surrounding the lower end of. said post there is a sleeve I38 secured to a plate I39 rotatable and slidable upon the horizontal plate of the frame member I2 to which a substantially vertically extending spring rod I40 is connected at its lower end at l illa, its upper end being connected with the block I35 at Mill) (see Figs. 2, '3, and 5). Said plate is also yieldingly connected with the standards I36 by a coil spring I. This arrangement is such that swinging movement of plate I39 swings the feeler NI laterally therewith under tension of spring IM. Continued movement of the plate after it has swung the ieeler until it is arrested by a stop IE2, causes the spring rod I 30 to push up the block I35 and yieldingly force the feeler I3I downwardly into pressing engagement with the surface of the record for actuating it. The coil spring I43 is connected to the frame member l2 at one end and to the swinging plate I39 at the other end for normally returning the plate and feeler to inoperative position free and clear of the records when not actuated.

For actuating the feeler, frame 23 carrying the record elevating fingers H on the rocking bars 33, is provided with an extension bar I (Figs. 1, 5 and 15 to 1'1). Said bar'IM is raised and lowered with the elevation and lowering of the records and is positioned to engage the underside oi a finger M5 pivoted upon the downwardly extending portion of the plate I 39. Said finger is arranged to slope downwardly from its pivotal support and normally extend over the bar I as shownin Fig. 1. Rigidly secured to the plate I39 there is a rigid stop member It! under which- -said finger extends for limiting its upward pivotal movement and at all times maintain its downwardly sloping position. The spring I46 has one end secured to the stop member and the other end to said finger as shown in Fig. 16 so as to normally maintain the finger against the stop member but permit it to be swung downwardly away therefrom under spring tension.

This arrangement such that when the records are elevated to exposethe record to be played and provide overhead clearance therefor, the feeler is swung inwardly over said record prior to the reproducer being swung inwardly to the beginning thereof. This is accomplished by the upward movement of bar I44 engaging under the sloping finger I45 so that as said bar moves upwardly the finger slides thereover to swing the feeler in a clockwisedirection as shown in Fig. 17 against the tension of spring I43. Continued upward movement of the bar I44 causes the feeler to swing suificiently far for said bar to slip off the pivoted end of the finger, thereby freeing it and permitting spring I43 to return the feeler to the position shown in Fig. 17 free of the record so that it may then be reproduced. In the meantime the feeler has per-;

formed its function, as hereinbefore described; of setting the stop member I2I for arresting the reproducer in event a twelve-inch record is to be played.

After the record is played and as the superimposed records are lowered by the frame 23, bar I44 moves downwardly, engaging the upper edge of finger I45, forcing it downwardly against the tension of spring I46 until said bar slides off the free end of said finger, whereupon spring I46 will raise the finger into engagement with member I41 in which position said finger will again extend above the bar I44 ready for the next operation.

It may be noted that since the bar I44 is rigidly mounted, and there must be some give between it and finger I45, said finger will be forced to move across the bar, resulting in the swinging movement of the feeler.

The rod I39 of the feeler carries on its opposite end a downwardly-extending oscillatory finger bar I48 having its free end positioned to engage a projection I49 on the bell crank lever I25 carrying the twelve-inch record stop I29. Said bar being rigid with the rod I30, is normally retained under tension of spring I59 against a fixed stop I5I secured to one of the uprights I38. Said stop fixes the normally angular position of the feeler bar I 3| when it is brought-into engagement with the record. If this position, however, is changed to a horizontal position by the size of the record, such as a twelve-inch"record, then rod I3!) is oscillated, causing bar I48 to swing outwardly until its free end engages the projection I49 on bell crank lever I35 for swinging it against the tension. of spring I52 and into position for stopping the inward movement of the tone arm for a twelve-inch record.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that the feeler is swungby bar I44 over the exposed record to be reproduced. Thereupon spring rod I49 yieldingly forces the feeler bar I3I onto the P record. The normal position of said bar is at a slight angle, such as would be efiected by the inner end engaging the exposed ten-inch record while the outer end may engage its supporting tray or a twelve-inch record therebelow, or, in case of no twelve-inch record, hang free. this angled position, the bar 148 hangs straight down and is inoperative. The bell crank lever I25 and stop I29, therefore, remain intheir inoperative positionwso that'the tone arm swings inwardly until its pin I24 abuts the ten-inch record stop I22," as shown in Fig. 17.

v.On the other hand, wherein a twelve-inch record is presented for play, the entire length of the bar is drawn down against the upper surface thereof so as to be moved to atruly horizontal positionfro'm its normally angular position. This slight movement oscillates rod I30 to-swing bar I48 laterally into engagement with bell crank lever I25 to move guide flange I 21 thereof into the path of the depending pin I24 of the tone arm (Fig. 18), guiding the pin into the opening I26 (Fig. 18A), and permitting its inward move:- ment to be arrested by stop I29 (Fig. 183) which thereby positions the reproducer-for a twelveinch record. The operation of the feeler occurs just prior to the inward swinging of the tone arm so that the proper setting thereof is effected at the time. The feeler is swung clear of the record before the reproducer approaches it by reason of the actuating extension bar I44 sliding over the inner end of lever I45 to free it and permit springs I43 and MI to swing the feeler clear of the record and out of the way of the reproducer. The general operation of the machine may be described as follows: A stack of records is placed on the turntable which is initially in its lowermost position, with the top record of the stack exposed for engagement by the reproducer. Initially, clutch 39 is in engagement and clutch 52 in disengagement. Upon starting the motor,

the turntable will revolve and clutch 39 will drive the cam gear 30. This will cause the record elevating fingers to move inwardly and upwardly, but without a record being engaged thereby. As they are moving up, the feeler is moved inwardly over the peripheral edge of the top record and be brought to bear thereon for determining which tone arm stop is to be effective, depending upon the size of the record. The feeler is promptly returned to its normal position beyond the periphery of the records immediately after its operative movement, following which the tone arm is permitted to swing inwardly to position .the reproducer 'at the beginning of the record through gear 30 and arm I8; At this point lug 93 on said gear wheel causes both clutches 39 and I 52 to be thrown into declutchedor neutral position, permitting rotation of the turntable while the record is being played.

Upon completion of the playing of the record the trip latch I29 is actuated to slide clutch bar for throwing clutch 39 into engagement to again rotate the gear wheel 39, which raises the reproducer and swings it clear of the records through arm 19. The lazy tong levers 24, 25 are then actuated by said gear wheel to cause the record elevating fingers to be lowered to their initial position.

At this point, lug 81 on gear 30 causes movement of bar 65 in the opposite direction to de-' clutch the clutch 39 and engage clutch 52 so that gear '30 stops-while gear 49 starts to rotate for raising the turntable the thickness of one record or its tray. The elevation of the turntable is limited to the thickness of one record by the mannerto split the stack and provide overhead space for the reproducer. As said played record is thereby elevated, the feeler is brought into action to determine the positioning of the re producer for a tenor twelve-inch. record, followed'by the inward swinging and positioning of the reproducer at the beginning of the record and the throwing of the clutches into neutral position. 7

When the bottom record has been played, the spacing of the lugs 53 on gear 49 is such that the turntable, then at its maximum elevation, will be lowered to its lowermost position so as to again present the top record. This is efiected through the character ofthe cam groove 48 on said gear.

If it is desired to manually play a single record or repeat a given record, this may be effected through any pre-selected record position, for example, the-bottom record as herein illustrated. Thus, all records above the bottom record may be removed if desired and the machine will go through its complete cycle of movement, so as to always play the bottom record. For this purpose there is provided a lug I60 on the gear wheel M9 in position to engage a bell crank lever iSl pivoted to a frame member 12 at 562, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20. Said bell crank has its opposite end in position to engage an auxiliary projection 53 on the upwardly projecting end of clutch bar 65. Pivoted to an outward extension of the upstanding end 92 of said clutch bar, there is a bell crank lever |6 l having a block I65 positioned to swing in and out of a space between the operative head 95 of hell crank tl and the upstanding end 92 of bar 55. The arrangement is such that when the portion E65 or bell crank IE4 is in its uppermost position, it fills the space so' that bell crank 9| may operate bar 55. But when it is lowered, there is no operative engagement between said bell crank and clutch bar. Thus, as lugs 53 actuate the bell crank 9|, it is ineffective so far as clutch bar 95 is concerned, unless the spacing block IE5 is in its uppermost position. When it is lowered, the lugs 53 are inefiective and the gear wheel it must make one complete revolution, such as raising and lowering the turntable to initial position after each play to return the lowermost record to playing position for repeating it. This is accomplished through the single projection ISll which is the only remaining means of actuatin clutch bar 65 through bell crank l6l and auxiliary projection 53.

The position of the spacing block N5 is controlled by a crank rod I66 operating upon a depending end lfil of the bell crank against the tension of spring I68. Said crank rod is carried to a position external of the machine for manual manipulation to throw the spacing block I55 in and out of operative position.

Thus, by manual manipulation of crank rod Hit, the machine may be said to always repeat the lowermost record, or for manual playing, to render ineiiectual the progressive selection of the uppermost records.

As above described, the particular example of machine herein referred to is designed to continuously play a group of records in sequence, and also permi't automatic operation of a single or manually placed record. However, the invention applies equally to a machine which will automatically select and play records out of sequence,

as more specifically set forth and described in the first-mentioned Letters Patent.

lihe invention claimed is:

1. In a clutch control mechanismfor moving a rotatable member axially in step by step manner, a cam, an arm supporting said memberand movable by said cam, a driving means, a clutch structure operable to connect and disconnect said driving means from said cam, and a series of elements carried by said cam positioned thereon in spaced'relation corresponding to the distance it is desired to progressively move said member, said elements successively engaging and actuating said clutch structure to disconnect said driving means and thereby arrest said cam upon the member reaching a position corresponding to the position of the actuating element.

2. In a clutch control mechanism, a vertically adjustable member movable to difierent elevations, driving means operably connected with'said member for rotating the same, a countershaft, a clutch operable to connect and disconnect said countershaft with said driving means, a cam driven by said countershaft, mechanism controlled by said cam operably associated with said member for raising and lowering the same in a step by step manner to predetermined positions corresponding to the rotation of said cam, mechanism arranged to actuate said clutch, and a series of elements carried by said cam, each corresponding to one of said predetermined positions of said member and progressively movable by said cam into engagement with said clutch actuating mechanism to disconnect said countershaft and thereby arrest said cam upon said member being moved to a position corresponding to the efiective element.

3. In a clutch control mechanism for moving a rotatable member axially in a step by step manner, a cam, a source of power operably connected with said cam for driving the same, a series of elements mounted on said cam in spaced relation corresponding to each step by step position to which said member is to be moved, and mechanism engageable by said elements respectively and operable thereby to mechanically disconnect said cam from said source of power to arrest its movement at a predetermined position corresponding to the relative position of said element on said cam.

4. In a clutch control mechanism for moving I a rotatable member axially in a step by step manher, a cam, a series of projections spaced about said cam, each projection corresponding to a predetermined position to which said member is tobe moved, a continuously driven shaft, means operably connected with said shaft for driving the same, a clutch releasably connecting said shaft with said cam, and means actuated by said projections respectively operable to release said clutch and arrest the movement of said cam upon said member being movedto a position corresponding to the actuating projection.

5.-In a clutch control mechanism for moving a rotatable member axially in a step by step manner, a cam, a series of projections spaced about said cam, each projection corresponding to a predetermined position to which said member is to be moved, a continuously driven shaft, means operably connected with said shaft for driving the same, a clutch releasably connecting said shaft with said cam, a reciprocating clutch control bar, means operable to move said bar in one direction to render said clutch effective to drive said cam, and means actuated by said projections respectively operable to move said bar in the other direction and render said clutch ineffective, whereby the movement-of said cam will be arrested with said member in a position corresponding to the actuating projection.

6. In a clutch control mechanism for moving a rotatable member axially in a step by step manner, a cam, a series of projections spaced about said cam, each projection corresponding to a predetermined position to which said member is to be moved, a continuously driven shaft, means operably connected with said shaft for driving the same, a clutch releasably connecting said shaft with said cam, a reciprocating clutch control bar, means operable to move said bar-in one direction to render .said clutch effective to drive said cam, means normally actuated-by said projections respectively operable to move said bar for rendering said clutch ineffective whereby the movement of said cam will be arrested upon said member reaching a position corresponding to said projection, and manually controlled means operable to render said projection actuated means ineffective tomove said bar intermediate one complete cycle of said cam,wherebysaid memher will be returned to a predetermined position by said cam irrespective of the position of said ing element and a driven element, a driving shaft relative to the other element for engagement and disengagement therewith, an offset cam oneach of said oscillating elements of the respective clutch members, and a reciprocating clutch bar positioned for engagement by said cams upon rotation of said driving shaft, said bar being provided with a notch in' said edge adjacent each clutch-member movable by reciprocation of said bar to and from alignment with their adjacent cams, whereby upon said bar being moved to one position one portion of said cam will strike said bar to move it to declutch said elements and when moved to another-position said cam will strike said bar to clutch said elements.

8. 'In a clutch control mechanism, a pair of spaced clutch members each comprising a drivin driving connection with one of said elements, a driven member in driving connection with the other element, latching means provided on each of said elements, means for swivally mounting one of said elements relative to the other for movement in' and out of latching engagement therewith, oppositely disposed projections on each of said swivally mounted elements, said projections being oiiset relative to each other, a reciprocating clutch bar slidably mounted with its edge extending adjacent said clutch members arranged for engagement by oneor the other of said projections, said bar being provided with a notch opposite each of said clutch members so arranged in respect to said projections that uponalignment with one of said projections its associated offset projection will strike said bar to oscillate its element into clutching position, andwhen aligned with the other of said projections will be engaged by its associated offset projection ior oscillating said element to declutching position. V

THEODORE M. WRIGHT. 

